Man kills partner, daughter then sets house on fire

MANILA, Philippines - A man stabbed dead his live-in partner and her 17-year-old daughter before setting their house on fire in Pasig City yesterday.

The charred bodies of Jess Albay, his live-in partner Cecille Babon and her daughter, Giselle, were recovered by firemen in their gutted house at the SPS Compound on St. Peter street in Barangay Rosario.

Senior Superintendent Mario Rariza, Pasig City police chief, said strong winds spread the flames toward 12 adjacent houses.

According to initial reports, neighbors heard Albay and Cecille arguing at around 3:05 p.m. yesterday. Arson investigators gathered from neighbors that Albay was jealous.

At the height of the quarrel, neighbors heard a commotion and shouts that Albay was stabbing Cecille and Giselle, who apparently tried to pacify her mother’s live-in partner.

According to Rariza, concerned neighbors rushed to the victims’ residence to intervene but found the gate locked from inside. Minutes later, there was a loud explosion and a fire broke out at the house.

The fire quickly spread toward adjacent houses and the entire neighborhood tried to battle the blaze with pails of water but failed. At least 17 families were left homeless.

Chief Inspector Roy Quisto, Pasig City fire marshal, said the fire reached the first alarm. Rariza said firefighters declared the blaze under control at about 4:05 p.m.

Arson investigator Senior Police Officer 3 Rogelio Villanueva said they are still trying to determine the amount of damage caused by the fire.